What 20K bulbs are the sps reefers using?

docwells · 10/28/2007, 06:40 PM

I was wondering what the sps reefers are using in the 20k bulb these days. I am going to set up a 36x30x16 tank soon. I am thinking of using a lumenarc reflector with a 250 watt 20k radium on the new icecap ballast. I was wondering what others are using and recommend.

SunnyX · 10/28/2007, 07:14 PM

20K XM 20K for over twos years now. I have had nothing but great results with them.

SunnyX · 10/28/2007, 07:14 PM

20K XM 20K for over twos years now. I have had nothing but great results with them.

twon8 · 10/28/2007, 07:16 PM

i use the 20k xm, but only 400w, the 250 is not nearly as good a bulb

todd rose · 10/28/2007, 07:19 PM

20K 400 watt Radiums

Znut Reefer · 10/28/2007, 07:28 PM

20K XM's 400's

reefer1024 · 10/28/2007, 07:44 PM

I have tried both the Radium and XM in the 150 watt DE versions on a magnetic HQI ballast. The Radium is a crisp white/blue color and litteraly twice as bright as the XM. I use the XM because I like the look way more and I dont need the extra brightness on my 12" cube. The XM is much bluer and makes all the colors fluoresce a lot more. The XM is really really really blue. Really.

UltimateFrag · 10/28/2007, 10:04 PM

400w 20K Helios bubls.

tunaluver · 10/29/2007, 01:23 AM

how does the helios compare with the xm?

CAreefer · 10/29/2007, 04:34 AM

400 w 20k Helios is my bulb of choice on IceCap, Galaxy or HQI. M59 is pretty bad however.

I don't like the 250 version. Radiums on HQI are too short lived for my bulb budget.

I've never seen the XM's in person.

Alot depends on the ballast the bulbs are ran on.

CAReefer

CAreefer · 10/29/2007, 05:10 AM

oops DP

Horace · 10/29/2007, 08:21 AM

400w XM 20k on M59 here.

Michael7979 · 10/29/2007, 11:06 AM

400w 20k Radiums here.

gcarroll · 10/29/2007, 11:16 AM

250 watt Radium on SLS Galaxy ballasts.

mpoletti · 10/29/2007, 11:19 AM

I just switched to 250w Helios DE on blue waves. I can already see a big difference.

sdoggssf · 10/29/2007, 12:46 PM

If you were only going to run one 400w 20k, with no other lighting what bulb would you use? Emphasis on color of the coral not growth...

saltysupply · 10/29/2007, 12:47 PM

I generally like the 400 watt xm's, right now I am using 400w 20k Ushios and am getting better growth from them.

CamBarr · 10/29/2007, 01:02 PM

250 DE 20k USHIO They are pretty blue not super purple like the XM's

tfp · 10/29/2007, 01:16 PM

250w Helios on Icecap E-ballast atm.

crispyreef · 10/29/2007, 01:22 PM

250W 20K reefoptics.

Unarce · 10/29/2007, 01:28 PM

What I've tried (with comments:

250W DE (M80 ballast)

Giesemann Megachrome Blue - Like a true 14k, much whiter than the Phoenix
XM 20K - The bluest I've ever used

400W SE (PFO HQI ballast)

Radium - Almost identical to the Giesemann
Helios - Good brightness; almost as blue as the XM

I tried to find a cheaper bulb that matched well with my ballast, provide some blue, but didn't give my tank the 'Midnight Bowling' look. I eventually went back to the 12k look.

SPStoner · 10/29/2007, 02:02 PM

400w Radium on HQI. tried the XM's but didn't like the look. I plan on trying the Helios next bulb change. The only negative with Radiums, as CAreefer mentioned, is the short usable bulb life.

docwells · 10/29/2007, 06:04 PM

Thanks for all the responses. It seems alot of people are using 400 watters but I think that is overkill for my tank. Plus I already have 2 new icecap ballasts. I need to look at the other bulbs mentioned ( helios, reefoptix). It seems the radium is in the lead right now.

fishfiend00s · 10/29/2007, 06:09 PM

400 watt 20 k radiums pfo hqi ballast

docwells · 10/29/2007, 06:26 PM

CAreefer,
What did you dislike about the 250 watt helios? Are you using SE or DE?

gcarroll,
Are you running the iwasaki to balance the radiums?

tfp,
Are you using SE or DE on your icecap ballast? How is the color?

crispyreef,
Where did you buy the reefoptic bulb?

View Poll Results: What 250 watt 20K bulb are sps reefers using?
20k Radium	83	37.73%
20K XM	83	37.73%
20k Coralvue	7	3.18%
Other	47	21.36%
Voters: 220. You may not vote on this poll

10/28/2007, 06:40 PM	#1
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	What 20K bulbs are the sps reefers using? I was wondering what the sps reefers are using in the 20k bulb these days. I am going to set up a 36x30x16 tank soon. I am thinking of using a lumenarc reflector with a 250 watt 20k radium on the new icecap ballast. I was wondering what others are using and recommend. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress... Last edited by docwells; 10/28/2007 at 06:46 PM.

10/28/2007, 07:16 PM	#4
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	i use the 20k xm, but only 400w, the 250 is not nearly as good a bulb __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

10/29/2007, 04:34 AM	#10
CAreefer Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Paso Robles CA Posts: 963	400 w 20k Helios is my bulb of choice on IceCap, Galaxy or HQI. M59 is pretty bad however. I don't like the 250 version. Radiums on HQI are too short lived for my bulb budget. I've never seen the XM's in person. Alot depends on the ballast the bulbs are ran on. CAReefer __________________ June 2005 TOTM Current Tank Info: 265 Gallon A.G.E. Starphire SPS in the build stage. 3 400 watt Helios 20k on PFO HQI/Ice Cap ballasts. Bubble King 300 skimmer.

10/29/2007, 05:10 AM	#11
CAreefer Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Paso Robles CA Posts: 963	oops DP __________________ June 2005 TOTM Current Tank Info: 265 Gallon A.G.E. Starphire SPS in the build stage. 3 400 watt Helios 20k on PFO HQI/Ice Cap ballasts. Bubble King 300 skimmer.

10/28/2007, 07:14 PM	#2
SunnyX Moved On Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,991	20K XM 20K for over twos years now. I have had nothing but great results with them.

10/28/2007, 07:19 PM	#5
todd rose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ky Posts: 183	20K 400 watt Radiums

10/28/2007, 07:28 PM	#6
Znut Reefer Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Claxton, Ga Posts: 3,396	20K XM's 400's

10/28/2007, 07:44 PM	#7
reefer1024 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lake Elsinore Posts: 940	I have tried both the Radium and XM in the 150 watt DE versions on a magnetic HQI ballast. The Radium is a crisp white/blue color and litteraly twice as bright as the XM. I use the XM because I like the look way more and I dont need the extra brightness on my 12" cube. The XM is much bluer and makes all the colors fluoresce a lot more. The XM is really really really blue. Really.

10/28/2007, 10:04 PM	#8
UltimateFrag Moved On Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 23	400w 20K Helios bubls.

10/29/2007, 01:23 AM	#9
tunaluver Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: sioux falls, sd Posts: 204	how does the helios compare with the xm?

10/29/2007, 08:21 AM	#12
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	400w XM 20k on M59 here. __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

10/29/2007, 11:06 AM	#13
Michael7979 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Keizer,OR Posts: 923	400w 20k Radiums here. __________________ MIKE THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN!! 240 RE-build in progress!.....(slowly) Current Tank Info: 240g, 4- 400w Radiums on PFO HQI ballasts, 4- 110w VHO on IceCap 660 ballast, Euro-Reef Skimmer

10/29/2007, 11:16 AM	#14
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	250 watt Radium on SLS Galaxy ballasts. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

10/29/2007, 11:19 AM	#15
mpoletti You'll never walk alone Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 18,245	I just switched to 250w Helios DE on blue waves. I can already see a big difference. __________________ -Mark a.) I believe... The curse is a reality b.) Fish poop is your friend c.) Why chase numbers? #CoralsLiketoDisco #ReefSerenity

10/29/2007, 12:46 PM	#16
sdoggssf Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South San Francisco, CA Posts: 127	If you were only going to run one 400w 20k, with no other lighting what bulb would you use? Emphasis on color of the coral not growth...

10/29/2007, 12:47 PM	#17
saltysupply Moved On Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 274	I generally like the 400 watt xm's, right now I am using 400w 20k Ushios and am getting better growth from them.

10/29/2007, 01:02 PM	#18
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,365	250 DE 20k USHIO They are pretty blue not super purple like the XM's __________________ Cam Barr

10/29/2007, 01:16 PM	#19
tfp Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 3,225	250w Helios on Icecap E-ballast atm. __________________ Go with what works for you. Current Tank Info: Envisions 400g (96x32x30) online January 2012. 4-72" VHOs,7-OceanRevive T247,Aquamaxx Cone 6 Skimmer, Aquamaxx S3 CR,Aquariumplants CO2 regulator, Jebao SOW20's, 80w Emperor UV, tang dominated with anthias and longspine cards

10/29/2007, 01:22 PM	#20
crispyreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Bay Posts: 1,189	250W 20K reefoptics.

10/29/2007, 01:28 PM	#21
Unarce Unshackled Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 4,941	What I've tried (with comments: 250W DE (M80 ballast) Giesemann Megachrome Blue - Like a true 14k, much whiter than the Phoenix XM 20K - The bluest I've ever used 400W SE (PFO HQI ballast) Radium - Almost identical to the Giesemann Helios - Good brightness; almost as blue as the XM I tried to find a cheaper bulb that matched well with my ballast, provide some blue, but didn't give my tank the 'Midnight Bowling' look. I eventually went back to the 12k look. __________________ ¡pɹɐɥ os noʎ ǝlppnɔ plnoʍ I Current Tank Info: starting to get that itch again

10/29/2007, 02:02 PM	#22
SPStoner Team RC Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA, but born and raised in Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,996	400w Radium on HQI. tried the XM's but didn't like the look. I plan on trying the Helios next bulb change. The only negative with Radiums, as CAreefer mentioned, is the short usable bulb life. __________________ "Baseball is 90% mental...The other half is physical."- Yogi Berra Going on 31 years in this crazy hobby. Current Tank Info: 70 Marineland cube, 34 gallon Red Sea Max, 6 gallon Nano

10/29/2007, 06:04 PM	#23
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Thanks for all the responses. It seems alot of people are using 400 watters but I think that is overkill for my tank. Plus I already have 2 new icecap ballasts. I need to look at the other bulbs mentioned ( helios, reefoptix). It seems the radium is in the lead right now. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

10/29/2007, 06:09 PM	#24
fishfiend00s Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 114	400 watt 20 k radiums pfo hqi ballast

10/29/2007, 06:26 PM	#25
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	CAreefer, What did you dislike about the 250 watt helios? Are you using SE or DE? gcarroll, Are you running the iwasaki to balance the radiums? tfp, Are you using SE or DE on your icecap ballast? How is the color? crispyreef, Where did you buy the reefoptic bulb? __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...